Taping machine



Aug. 13, 1946. FULFER 2,495,742

IAPING MACHINE Filed April 11. 1944 INVENTOR ATTORNEY GLEN Fuu-"ER Patented Aug. 13, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,405,742 TAPING MACHINE Glen Fulfer, San Francisco, (33.1115. 7 Application April 11, 1944, SerialNo. 530,545

3 Claims.

This invention relates to taping machines and more particularly to a manual means for apply ing paper tape to the joints of wall board panels.

Among the objects of the invention is to facilitate filling and covering the seams formed by the abutting edges of wall board panels.

Another object is the application of an adhesive plaster to the tape as it flows through the machine.

A further object is to cause the tape to automatically feed through the machine as it is forced against the wall by the machine being guided along the seam.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

In the specification and drawing the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited to this form, because it may be embodied in modifications within the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims following the description.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention.-

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the adhesive plaster tank.

Fig. 3 is a, top view of the same.

Fig. 4 is an nlarged detail of the pressure roller.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail in side elevation of the plaster applying mechanism.

In detail the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, comprises the staif rod I, having the handles 2, 3, thereon. The upper end of the rod has the yoke 4 fixed thereon to receive the roller 5 rotating on the cross pin 6 passing through the yoke. The yoke is also provided with the tape guid '1 adjacent the periphery of the roller.

The bracket 8 fixed on the rod I, has the transverse pin 9 upon which the roll of tape I is mounted. The tank II has a hinged cover and is supported upon the brackets I2, I3 fixed to the rod. These several brackets have loops within which the cutoff rod I 4 is slidable. The flat blade I is fixed in the upper end of the cutoff rod and is adapted to be advanced beyond the periphery of the roller 5, and against the wall to hold the tape so that it can be torn off along the serrated edge of the blade I5.

The tank I I contains a semi-fluid plaster of the nature of gypsum, plaster of Paris or the like containing a. suitable adhesive glue that is applied to the tape I6 as it passes the tank outlet H, see Fig. 5. The plaster applicator consists of the cup I8 fixed to the lower corner of the tank 2 below the outlet II. The cover I9 is hinged to the front of the cup and has the sides 20, 2| extending upwardly past the lip 22 at the top of the opening I I, and forming a chute through which the tape 23 passes.

The tape is threaded upwardly through a slot 24 in the bottom of the cup then upwardly through the space between the cover I9 and the lip 22 and around the roller 5. The tank II is beveled at 25, 26 to accumulate the plaster 21 therein so that the plaster remaining will flow through the outlet I1, against the tape 23 passing upwardly through the chute. of the tape is provided with small perforations permitting the escape of air from between the inner surface of the tape and the contacting plaster 21. The tape within the chute is forced back against the cover I9 by the plaster which is leveled off by the lip 22 as the tape emerges from the chute. The thickness of the plaster coating may be adjusted by the screw 28, threaded through the rod I and bearing against the cover The invention operates substantially as follows: The operator grasps the handles '2, 3, forces the roller 5 and the intervening tap against the lower end of a seam in the wall and guides the roller upward along the seam to near the ceiling. The tape unrolling and passing through the chute at 22 is coated with the adhesive plaster 29 which is forced against the wall by the roller 5. At the ceiling, the rod I I is pushed upwardly into contact with the tape 23 and the adjacent wall or ceiling. The thumb of the hand on the handle 2 is then placed against the roll III to prevent further unwinding of tape. The machine is then pulled downwardly to shear off the tape at the blade I5.

In taping horizontal seams the handle 2 is grasped in one hand and the other hand supports the tank II, and the tap is fed outwardly over the seam as described.

After the tape is properly placed over the seam, a broad knife similar to a putty knife is drawn downwardly along the tape 23 to flatten it down to the plane of the wall board, forcing the plaster adhesive into the open seam to seal it. The surplus plaster exudes through the perforations and beyond the edges of the tape and is scraped away. The flakes of plaster adhering to the wall surface adjacent the tape is then leveled and brush blended. into the texture of the wall board surface. It is usual for the operator to do the taping, followed by another operator who finishes the seams.

The periphery of the roller 5 may be double The whole area 3 beveled as shown, or rounded or shaped to apply the tape in corners or the conventional architectural contours found in wall board constructions.

The rod I may be bent to bring the handle 3 into the most comfortable position for right or left handed operators. The length of the machine is about three feet, in practice, which enables an operator of average stature to comfortablyireachthe usual ceiling height.

Having thus described this invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A taping machine comprising a staff; a tape reel and a traction roller on said staff; a. plaster tank on said staff between said reel and roller.

and having an outlet opening; a chute surrounding said opening and comprising a trough-shaped cover moveable relative to said opening; and a lip extending from the upper end of said opening and into said cover.

2. A taping machine comprising a stafi; a tape 20 a 4 reel and traction roller on said stafi; a plaster tank on said stafi between said reel and roller and having an outlet opening; a chute surrounding said opening and comprising a. trough-shaped cover opposite said opening; a. lip adjacent the upper portion of said opening and extending into said chute; and means for adjusting said cover relative to said lip.

3. A taping machine comprising a staff; a tape reel and traction roller on said staff a plaster tank on said staff between said reel'and roller and having an outlet opening; a chute surrounding said opening and comprising a hinged troughshaped cover opposite said opening; a lip adjacent the upper portion of said opening and extending into said chute; and an adjusting means interposed between said rod and cover for adjusting said cover relative to said lip.

GLEN FULFER. 

